Paddle assist to pop-up device

Abstract

A device for attachment to the deck of a surfboard or paddleboard for making paddling a surfboard or paddleboard more comfortable and easier to paddle. On a surfboard the device can also assist in attaining proper speed and so that a surfer can more easily “pop-up.” The pop-up assist generally comprises a main body having a generally wedge shape attached to the deck of the surfboard generally where the lower chest or abdomen of the surfer, makes contact with the board. The pop-up assist generally creates a wedge between the body of the surfer or paddler and the deck of the surfboard, lifting the user's upper chest, neck and, head up from the deck of the board. The pop-up assist can also be collapsible, so that the obstruction of the wedge on the board is removed once the user “pops-up.”

1. A collapsible pop-up assist device for attachment to a deck of a surfboard, said collapsible pop-up assist comprising:
 a face plate having an upright and a collapsed position; and 
 a brace having an upright and a collapsed position; 
 wherein, after being attached to said surfboard:
 when said face plate and said brace are both in said upright position, said face plate is positioned at an angle to said deck of said surfboard so as to form a general wedge shape with said deck of said surfboard; 
 when said face plate and said brace are in said collapsed position, said face plate and said brace are generally parallel to said deck of said surfboard; 
 when in said upright position, said faceplate is in contact with a user of said surfboard; and 
 when said contact between said user and said faceplate is removed, said faceplate transitions from said upright position to said collapsed position. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The collapsible pop-up assist of  claim 1  further comprising
 a locking mechanism; 
 wherein said locking mechanism secures said brace in said upright position when said faceplate is in contact with said user of said surfboard. 
 
     
     
       3. The collapsible pop-up assist of  claim 2  wherein said locking mechanism comprises a pin and hole system. 
     
     
       4. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible pop-up assist device is attached to a deck of a surfboard by hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
       5. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 1 , wherein the said collapsible pop-up assist device is built-into said surfboard. 
     
     
       6. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 1 , wherein said face plate is covered by a layer of a cushioning substance, said cushioning substance comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of: rubber, foam, and neoprene. 
     
     
       7. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible pop-up assist device comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: hard plastic, metal, wood, and hard rubber. 
     
     
       8. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 1 , wherein said face plate is a generally rectangular 10″ wide by 6″ long plate. 
     
     
       9. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 1 , wherein said brace is generally a rectangular 1″ tall by 7″ wide plate. 
     
     
       10. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of said brace is attached toward a proximal end of said face plate. 
     
     
       11. The collapsible pop-up assist of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible pop-up assist further comprises:
 a housing; 
 wherein said housing encloses a perimeter of said faceplate and said brace when said faceplate and said brace are in said collapsed position and said housing attaches said collapsible pop-up assist to said deck of said surfboard. 
 
     
     
       12. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 11 , wherein said housing is generally a rectangular 10″ by 6″ long by ½″ thick frame. 
     
     
       13. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 11 , wherein said faceplate is attached to said housing via a hinged mechanism. 
     
     
       14. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 12 , wherein said face plate is biased to said collapsed position. 
     
     
       15. The collapsible pop-up assist of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible pop-up assist further comprises:
 a push tab; 
 wherein said push tab is located toward the proximal end of said brace; and 
 wherein said push tab is biased to force said brace from said upright position to said collapsed position. 
 
     
     
       16. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 15 , wherein said push tab is generally 1″ wide by 6″ long. 
     
     
       17. The collapsible pop-up assist of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible pop-up assist further comprises:
 a pull-tab; 
 wherein said pull tab has a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end attached to said brace and said proximal end generally extending out toward a nose of said surfboard; and 
 wherein said pull tab is used to transition said collapsible pop-up assist from said collapsed position to said upright position. 
 
     
     
       18. The collapsible pop-up assist device of  claim 17 , wherein said pull tab has a knob located at its proximal end. 
     
     
       19. A surfboard comprising:
 a deck originating at a tail and extending to a nose; 
 a bottom opposing said deck and including at least one fin; 
 a generally wedge shaped protrusion positioned on said deck between said nose and said tail and having an upright and a collapsed position, in said upright position said protrusion extending from said deck with a taller proximal end of said protrusion positioned toward said nose and a shorter distal end of said protrusion positioned toward said tail; 
 wherein said wedge shaped protrusion collapses from said upright position to said collapsed position when a weight is removed from said wedge.